Here is your Tampa Bay Buccaneers Season Preview with everything you need to know ahead of the 2023 season. By Danny Atherton
Big changes have happened in Tampa Bay since the end of the 2022 NFL season. None more so than Tom Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback of all time finally deciding to call it a day. The Bucs won the NFC South last year with a record of 8-9. That was Todd Bowles’s first season as Head Coach after the departure of Bruce Arians and things certainly went downhill after that. The NFC South is much improved and its going to be hard work for the Buccaneers to stay ahead of the division without number 12 leading the offence.
Regular Season Schedule
- Week 1 – @Minnesota Vikings
- Week 2 – Chicago Bears
- Week 3 – Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 4 – @New Orleans Saints
- Week 5 – Bye
- Week 6 – Detroit Lions
- Week 7 – Atlanta Falcons
- Week 8 – @Buffalo Bills
- Week 9 – @Houston Texans
- Week 10 – Tennesse Titans
- Week 11 – @San Francisco 49ers
- Week 12 – @Indianapolis Colts
- Week 13 – Carolina Panthers
- Week 14 – @Atlanta Falcons
- Week 15 – @Green Bay Packers
- Week 16 – Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 17 – New Orleans Saints
- Week 18 – @Carolina Panthers
Coaching Staff
General Manager: Jason Licht
Head Coach: Todd Bowles
Offensive Coordinator: Dave Canales
Special Teams Coordinator: Keith Armstrong
Players In
Free Agents
QB – Baker Mayfield – 1 year $8.5 million
RB – Chase Edmonds – 1 year deal
Draft Picks
- Round 1 – Pick 19 – Calijah Kancey – DT
- Round 2 – Pick 17 – Cody Mauch – OT
- Round 3 – Pick 19 – YaYa Diaby – DE
- Round 5 – Pick 18 – SirVocea Dennis – LB
- Round 6 – Pick 4 – Josh Hayes – DB
Players Out
QB – Tom Brady – Retired
Projected Starters
Offence
QB – Baker Mayfield
RB – Rachaad White
WR – Chris Godwin
WR – Russell Gage
TE – Cade Otton
WR – Mike Evans
LT – Tristan Wirfs
LG – Matt Feiler
C – Ryan Jensen
RG – Cody Mauch
RT – Luke Goedeke
Defence
DE – Calijah Kancey
NT – Vita Vea
DT – Gregg Gaines
OLB – Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
MLB – Devin White
MLB – Lavante David
OLB – Shaquil Barrett
CB – Jamel Dean
CB – Carlton Davis III
FS – Antoine Winfield Jr
S – Ryan Neal
2023 Star Player
Linebacker Devin White is heading into his 5th season in the NFL and is without doubt one of the best linebackers in football. The Buccaneers offence could struggle in 2023 with uncertainty still at the Quarterback position and it will be up to White and the defence to lead this team. With a defensive head coach in Todd Bowles heading into his 2nd year and under pressure to deliver, he will be hoping White can get back to his 2020 season when he had 140 tackles and 9 sacks. Heading into a contract season White will also be keen to show the Buccaneers his worth once again.
2023 Breakout Player
Running back Rachaad White is heading into his 2nd season in the league and looks set to lead the Buccaneers’ rushing attack this season. The Arizona State product had 129 carries last season as a rookie and also amassed 50 receptions. With Leonard Fournette now gone White should see the bulk of the carries and will be a very nice option out the backfield for whoever starts at Quarterback. If the offensive line can stay healthy this season then White should have plenty of running lanes and he will set the tone for the offence this season.
Season Expectations
The Buccaneers finished 8-9 last season in a weak NFC South with Tom Brady leading the offence. Brady has now left town and the Saints, Panthers and Falcons are all better teams in 2023.
With huge uncertainty at the Quarterback position it could be a real struggle to top the NFC South in 2023 and it will be interesting to see what type of team they are and their identity.
It is also a big season for 2nd year Head Coach, Todd Bowles. Bowles only has one winning season as a head coach in his time with the New York Jets and Tampa Bay. A second consecutive losing season in Tampa could signal the end of his time and a fresh start in 2024.
The Buccaneers are definitely one of the more intriguing teams heading into 2023.
Banner Image: Baker Mayfield with the Buccs. Image from sandiegotribune.com
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